A New Year & yada yada

It's a new month.

It's a new year.

It's the widely accepted time for personal reflection, lists of goals and new beginnings.

Lots of people are looking back at their accomplishments at the Fresh Sewing Day linky party hosted by Lynne. Check 'em out :)

Considering some of personal hurdles that 2011 present me with, it may very well be a miracle that I got anything done.

But I did. And here they are!

1. Toy Train Bag, 2. His and Hers Christmas Stockings, 3. 1st 10 blocks, 4. Scrappy Tree ornament Tutorial, 5. stocking for kids - front and back, 6. finished halloween mug rug, 7. square blocks for sarah, 8. Modern Christmas tablerunner at home 9. Basement curtains


Did you notice that there is a noticable lack of quilts up there? Ya. Me too.

I'm trying not to beat myself up too much about it. I love my WIP quilts and don't hold a grudge against them, just because they are sitting abandoned on my table.

I am not the only one who has this dilemma, right?
Don't you have some unfinished sewing business from 'last year'?

I need a little kick in the sewing rump once in a while, and over the next 3 months, that kick will come in the form of  Rhonda's proposed Finish-A-Long!

I 'met' Rhonda via the tablerunner swap I did, and have developed a little blogger crush on her. 

Seriously she's awesome - see for yourself at her blog or flickr pool.

Where was I ...oh yes. Unfinished projects.

Here's how it'll work -

At the beginning of each quarter participants link up a blog post which includes a summary of the projects they intend to complete in that quarter (see Rhonda's here).

Then at the end of the quarter you link up your blog post (or Flickr pictures if you have more than one project and only one blog post) with the summary of the projects you completed in that quarter. It is the post-quarter linky party that the prizes will be drawn from. 

Genius. She's a genius. Why didn't I think of this?

Here are the projects I will aim to finish in this first quarter. Gotta aim high, right? 

1. ATS QAL Quilt : This was started 8/2011. It is just a back, and outer borders away from bring ready to quilt. It got too big for me to wrestle in my sewing nook.  I have a bigger table now, time to re-tackle this one!

2. Scrappy Friendship Quilt: This was started in 2008, as an in person fabric swap with my friends.  Its pieced, and bound and partially quilted. Haven't touched in since summer. The kicker with this one is that I am hand quilting the whole thing. It will be a 'full' mattress size when it's done. Cold weather and hand quilting sounds good - time to snuggle up and get it done!

3. Jungle Baby Quilt: It was started in 4/2011  Status: Pieces are cut. Ready to piece

4.Quilts for Kids Quilt: This is to be donated to a child in the hospital. It's partially pieced. It's a small project. I just sort of lost interest in it, which I feel sort of bad about - since it's for such a good cause.

Wow! This post is getting long .. .still with me? Good! 'Cause I wanna thank you!

Remember I said that 2011 had a lot of ups and downs for me?

One of the ups was certainly discovering the world of craft and sewing blogs.

When I started this blog in March, I had NO idea what an amazing trip I was signing up for.

I cannot begin to tell you how much the work, creativity and humor of people like you have lifted my spirits, confidence and energy when things became overwhelming. THANK YOU!!!

That brings me back to Lynne. She is also hosting her always fabulous Small Blog Meet.
It's a great way to discover some of the the newest blogs (and their wonderful writers) out there!
 
Oh wait, Lynne, what is that?
I have 48 followers, and meet the <50 criteria so I should link up again? Okay!

Since I've introduced myself several times {HERE and HERE} I will leave you with a recent photo and some (nontraditional but hopefully entertaining) questions I answered recently.

1. Worst pick up line you've gotten: "Can I borrow your library card? I want to check you out." Seriously??
2. What's the last thing you saw live in a theater? Local Professional orchestra, they were great:)
3. Do you give money to panhandlers? No
4. What's your drink? hot chocolate.
5. What's hanging above your sofa? the poster sized guest book poster thing from our wedding
6. How much is too much to spend on a haircut? This is embarassing. $0 I usually trade babysitting with my sister, who's a haridresser for my haircuts. Is that bad?
7. Brunch: pro or con? Pro, duh!
8. Cats or Dogs? Dogs, as long as they aren't super drooly.
9. What do you feel when you stand on the shore of the ocean? happy:) and usually Itchy - I am terrible about remembering sunscreen.
10. If you could chose to be an animal what animal would you choose to be? Why? An owl, Who wouldn't want to fly and see in the dark.. aren't those practically superpowers?

Bring it on 2012! I can handle anything you throw at me!
Especially with the support and witty banter of my blog family.

Wishing you a very happy, healthy and exciting year ahead :)